Getting to Know . . . SAM SHABER
 by Kathy S-B  ·  13 June 2007

Sam Shaber is a Los Angeles based singer/songwriter who has a lot to say and a lot to sing about. Touring nationally year ‘round, Shaber has won awards in the John Lennon, Billboard, and USA Songwriting Competitions for her driving melodies, smart lyrics, and soaring voice. She also won the ear of Columbia recording artist/producer Shawn Mullins (“Lullabye;”), who produced her last album, “Eighty Numbered Streets,” released in 2003 to great critical acclaim. Her most current live CD is a delightful introduction to Sam’s genuine and natural approach to her music and her stage show. Check out this You Tube video of Sam performing “Cryin’ Shame” at the Sundance Film Festival.

How long have you been out on the road singing your songs, meeting new friends and fans?

I’ve been touring since 1997, full-time as my living for about six years or more.

Can you imagine yourself doing anything else? If you weren’t a touring musician, what would you be inclined to do with your life?

I love writing and in fact have a monthly newsletter/blog thingy which has grown so popular that people pass it to their frends who’ve never even seen me play! I just list my upcoming tour dates and then write whatever comes into my head. It’s very silly and definitely NOT professional! This month is about Pirates of the Caribbean III and my ex-boyfriend whom I Googled recently to find him balding, which was good, but shaking Prince Charles hand, which was bad. If you know what I mean. SO I love to write and would probably do that if I wasn’t touring and playing music.

I caught you last summer at Club Passim and truly enjoyed your songs and your natural stage presence. Within minutes you made everyone feel as though they had known you their whole lives. That’s a real gift. Has it taken you a long time to hone this skill or have you always been naturally open to being yourself on stage?

I think the answer to this is “both.” I’m naturally energetic and also casual in my interactions with people, and I think both of these aspects of my personality lend themselves very well to working with an audience. I’m excited they’re there to see me, so I want them to feel that, and they give that feeling back to me in exchange. But performing is also something I’m ALWAYS working on - not just the musical performance aspect, but the interaction with the audience as well. You take something that comes naturally and then work on it everyday and refine it. That’s any art, I guess.

Tell us about your work with Shawn Mullins. How did you two meet and what was the evolution of him producing your CD “Eighty Numbered Streets.”

I knew I wanted him to produce me after hearing “Lullaby” on the radio and listening to his whole album, “Soul’s Core.” Then I met him through Eddie Owens, at Eddie’s Attic down in Decatur, Georgia. It’s Shawn’s hometown club and Eddie’s always been very supportive of me so he booked me to open for Shawn. I brought up the idea of being produced by him and he was interested. Then it took about two years of persistence to actually make it happen! Mostly because both of our schedules are so crazy, we had to figure out the logistics of the thing. But Shawn was really into the songs I sent him and I think it was a perfect match for that project. A very exciting time for me!

Your most requested song is “Cryin’ Shame” in which you take on the persona of a Scottish teenage boy. How did that song come about?

I was just feeling really silly at about 4am one night and I’ve always loved all things Scottish, the Proclaimers and “Trainspotting” in particular, so I got this nutty idea. And now, unfortunately, it will haunt me forever! ha ha!

What’s next on the Shaberagenda? Something totally Shaberistic, I hope…

Starting a new album later this summer after the tour is over on June 19th. Not sure the details yet, but I’ve been playing exclusively with my band, Sam Shaber and The Bones, in LA these days, and I definitely want to make a full rock album this time. Listening to a lot of Green Day, Cold War Kids, Shins, Pearl Jam, Weezer, JET, Kelly Clarkson, and Alanis lately… And of course Prince. Always Prince! So I’ve frozen on the tour booking for now, and when the album is done, I’ll figure out what’s next.